Most Popular

Most Recent

Sustainable Stormwater Management

In a natural environment, soil and plants absorb rain. But when streets, buildings, and parking lots cover the ground, rain washes over these hard surfaces. The resulting stormwater runoff carries dirt, oil and other pollutants to rivers and streams and can also cause erosion and flooding that harm properties and wildlife habitat.

Over one-third of Portland's 2,500 miles of sewer pipes are more than 80 years old. Green infrastructure protects the aging sewer system and makes it operate more efficiently by keeping stormwater out of sewers.